27 April 2011
The Labour Election power team enjoying the Spring sunshine on Dover Seafront.
With Shadow Minister for Skills and Education Gordon Marsden.
Left to right..and we have some legends here. Cllr Jim Hood who has represented the Town & Pier ward for 35 years, now that is some service to the community! Jim has also represented Dover for 8 years at KCC level and was Mayor twice. Next along and truly in the pink is Chris Tough who is standing in the approaching election for Shepherdswell, Eythorne and Elvington. ...for Labour of course. Next to him and needing no introduction we have Gwyn Prosser, the Labour MP here in Dover for many years, winning three elections on the trot. Then the charismatic Shadow Minister himself Gordon Marsden who has represented Blackpool as MP for 14 years. Then DoverForum legend and local man of the people Cllr John Goodwin who represents Tower Hamlets, and last but not least Town Councillor Pam Brivio who covers Maxton, Elms Vale and Priory ward.
Yes indeed the local Labour Election campaign got a high zest boost on Tuesday when Shadow Minister for Skills and Education Gordon Marsden paid a flying visit to the town. Gordon, along with our very own Gwyn Prosser, was a member of the Seaside Group of Labour MP's that set up the SEACHANGE project, a project that poured money into Dover during the period of Labour government. This was very welcome money indeed as it enabled us to have our redeveloped 'Wave' seafront, our SeaSports Centre, and in fact Seachange money even found it's way to The Castle...some £6million I believe was spent in fine style on the Henry II tower there.
The Shadow Minister said. " It is frustrating that the current government is cutting back on the SEACHANGE project which brought so much to Dover"
The picture left shows Gordon Marsden centre chatting with Chris Tough left and Bill Fawcus on the righthandside.
Bill Fawcus was formerly a leading light with DHB and was very much a driving force behind some of the developments we see in Dover today. Something of an unsung hero is Bill Fawcus. Here he is chatting away in one of those heroic forementioned developments, the Seasports Centre, with a view of the ocean waves behind.
Picture left shows Gordon Marsden listening to some of the points raised. He was asked how we can keep our school leavers here in town...as so many of us lose our kids through the lack of jobs and as a consequence the lack of affluence. He reflected that Dover needs a "vigourous local tourist economy" as a way forward and also needs an emphasis on "skills training" for both young people and the not so young.
Words and top picture Paul Boland.
Centre and bottom pictures Colette Boland.
